More new equipment for Rio Grande

Brazil's Wilson Sons Limited subsidiary Tecon Rio Grande (TRG), has taken delivery of two ZPMC ship-to-shore (STS) quay cranes and four RTGs. According to Wilson Sons, the equipment, valued at US$20m and which was 85% financed through the Export-Import Bank of China, forms part of its ongoing commitment to increase capacity and improve efficiency across all its Brazilian port assets.

Along with recent improvements to the quay now measuring 900 m in length, the equipment will greatly improve TRG's efficiency and service levels by allowing the simultaneous loading and unloading of up to three post-Panamax vessels. The 50 ton capacity quay cranes are capable of handling up to 22 container rows wide on the world’s largest container vessels.

The RTGs utilise a regenerated energy method which stores energy to be reused during peak power demand which greatly reduces fuel consumption and operating costs. By reducing stress on the generator, it also increasing the life of the RTGs and significantly reduces the frequency of maintenance.

Wilson Sons opines that the equipment purchase for the port of Rio Grande, the second largest Brazilian port, represents an important investment in the development of the future of trade capacity for the entire South of Brazil. The TRG investment is aimed at facilitating its growth as a container hub port bringing together deep sea, cabotage and transhipment volumes for the country and its South American neighbours.

The Government's 'Plano Geral de Outorgas' (PGO) study for the country's ports sector, predicts that annual throughput for Rio Grande will increase to 1.86m teu by 2023.

Source: Container Management Magazine